Title: Could This Be Love
By: angstytimelord
Pairing: Ryan Wolfe/Zeke Barnes
Fandom: CSI: Miami/A Gifted Man
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: This is entirely a product of my own imagination, and I make no profit from it. I do not own the lovely Ryan Wolfe or Zeke Barnes, unfortunately, just borrowing them for a while. Please do not sue.

***

Zeke leaned back in his chair and surreptitiously watched Ryan as the other man signed the credit card receipt; he had refused to let Zeke pay for anything, insisting that since he had been the one who'd asked Zeke out, he was paying for dinner.

They had talked about inconsequential things all during dinner, but all Zeke had really been able to concentrate on was Ryan's lips when he spoke or smiled, and those incredible green eyes that seemed to see right through him, directly into his soul.

He had seen a lot of beautiful men in his life, but never anyone who had captured his imagination and interest in the way that Ryan Wolfe had. He wanted to wrap himself around Ryan, to hold this man close to him forever, to never let him go.

Zeke was sure that they were going to spend the night together; he somehow knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Ryan would make love with him tonight. But after that, he had no idea what would happen; he knew what he wanted, but he didn't know if that wish would come true.

Did Ryan want the same thing? He was fairly sure of that, even though they hadn't really flirted over dinner. Neither of them had brought up the subject of what would happen when they left the restaurant, or what they would be doing later tonight.

Still, even though it hadn't been a topic of conversation, Zeke was positive that they would be lovers before the night was over. He could imagine what it would feel like to wake up next to Ryan, then to make love again in the pale light of early morning.

Was this just desire, or was it something more? He felt as though he was falling in love with Ryan at an incredible rate, letting himself tumble head over heels into emotions that he wasn't sure he was ready to feel. The thought was terrifying -- and yet exhilarating at the same time.

It hadn't been this way with Michael; he'd fallen in love slowly, by degrees, over time. This was much more intense, a headlong rush that took his breath away. Zeke wasn't sure exactly how he felt about that; a part of him wanted ahead, another part wanted to stop.

This was like barreling along on a runaway train, with no idea of whether it would eventually slow down and proceed at a calmer rate, or veer off the tracks and crash. The only way to find out was to take a deep breath and hold on, to ride it out.

"Something wrong?" Ryan asked softly, his question pulling Zeke out of his thoughts. Ryan was staring at him, head tilted to one side, a slightly worried expression on his handsome features. "You look like you're thinking really hard about something. What's on your mind?"

Zeke swallowed hard, then took a deep breath, deciding to tell Ryan the truth. "I was wondering just how this is going to end up, and if I'm comfortable with how fast things are going. I've never felt like this about anybody before, and it's kind of scary."

Ryan nodded, reaching across the table to take Zeke's hand in his. "I'm kind of scared, too," he said softly, his gaze never leaving Zeke's. "I don't usually come on this strong. But I've never been attracted to anybody the way I am to you."

"It's kind of like being caught up in a hurricane, isn't it?" Zeke murmured, relieved to know that he wasn't the only one who was feeling a little apprehensive. "Like you can't catch your breath, and you're not sure if it's good or bad. It's a little bit of both, I guess."

"That's exactly it." Ryan laughed softly, shaking his head. "It's exactly like being caught in a hurricane. That happened to me once, back in Miami. I was lucky enough to have a partner who threw me a line of Christmas lights so I could anchor myself and not get blown away."

Zeke's eyes widened at the thought; if Ryan had been harmed in that hurricane, they very likely would never have met. He would have gone his entire life without ever feeling this buoyancy, without knowing what it was like to fall head over heels at first sight.

"I'm glad you didn't get hurt," he whispered, squeezing Ryan's hand. "If you had, then you wouldn't be here with me now. And I think that if I hadn't met you, my life would have been a lot emptier. I think it's fate that brought us together and made us feel this way."

"I've never been a real big believer in fate," Ryan said with a shrug, his green eyes seeming to deepen in intensity as they searched Zeke's face. "But now, I think I've changed my mind about that. Fate, kismet, whatever it was -- I'm just grateful that it led me here to you."

"I think I'm falling in love with you," Zeke blurted out before he could hold the words back. He could feel the heat of a blush rising into his cheeks; he hadn't meant to say the words like that, to just let them escape so bluntly -- especially when he didn't know just how Ryan felt.

What if the man sitting across from him didn't share those emotions? What if Ryan wasn't the kind of man who fell in love at first sight, who needed to take time before he could let his emotions have free rein? This might be over before it had even begun.

But Ryan was looking at him with a smile on his lips, his eyes sparkling in a way that told Zeke those words hadn't been the wrong thing to say at all. Ryan looked comfortable with hearing them; in fact, he looked not only comfortable, but happy.

"I was wondering if it was too soon to say that myself," he murmured, his fingers curling around Zeke's to give his hand a gentle squeeze. "I think I've wanted to say that since I first saw you walking out the clinic. I was just scared that I'd chase you away if I did."

"Nothing could do that," Zeke replied, his own voice soft and husky. He could feel a tug at his heart that he'd never felt with anyone else; he wanted to get closer to Ryan, to press their bodies close together, to be held in this man's arms and kissed until he was breathless.

Could this be love? he wondered, not entirely sure that what he was feeling didn't have just as much to do with good old-fashioned lust as it did with the softer emotions. How could he know that he was in love? How could he be sure that this would last?

He couldn't be sure, a voice in the back of his mind whispered. He simply had to let go, to stop thinking so hard about what might not be, and trust his heart to lead the way. He had to let himself believe that he could fall in love this easily, without over-analyzing what he felt.

"Don't think about all the reasons why we shouldn't fall in love," Ryan said abruptly, as though he was reading Zeke's mind. "I've done that too many times in the past, and I've always regretted it. You can't question what you feel. Just let yourself feel it."

Zeke blinked, wondering just how Ryan had known what he was thinking. Was it simply a lucky guess, or was it proof that they shared a connection stronger than anything he'd ever felt before? He was going to take it as a sign that they belonged together.

He didn't have to ask himself if this could be love. He only had to give himself to that feeling, let it swirl over him and take him over. It was a risk, yes, but he ran that risk with anyone he chose to be with, not just with Ryan specifically. Falling in love was always a risky proposition.

Or was it? he asked himself. Had his experience with Michael, loving someone who had no idea how he felt and could probably never return those feelings, made him far more cautious about love than he had to be? Was it time for him to step outside of the protective walls he'd built up?

He couldn't stay behind those barriers forever, Zeke told himself firmly. It was past time that he stopped trying to protect his heart. Ryan wasn't the kind of person who would break that heart; he was sure of that. He had to let himself trust Ryan, trust in what they both felt.

It wasn't going to be easy; he knew that. He was terrified that things might not work out, and that he might have yet another heartache to get over once it was all over and the dust finally settled. But he had to take that chance. If he didn't, then he would have a lifetime of regret.

Zeke squeezed Ryan's hand in return, searching for the right words to express how he felt. "I've been asking myself if this could be love, but I think I should just stop asking and let myself enjoy what I'm feeling," he said softly, his dark gaze locking with the other man's.

Ryan nodded, a soft smile curving his lips. "I think you're right about that. This could be love if we let it be, Zeke. I know it's awfully soon to be using a word like that, but it's what I've been thinking every since we first met. I'm head over heels for you already."

"I feel the same way about you," Zeke told him, his voice soft with the wonder of the emotions he was feeling. It was as though he was suffused with a warmth that he'd never known could be possible -- and if that was love, then he was willing to grab it and run with it.

"I want to know everything about you," Ryan whispered, his gaze not wavering as he looked into Zeke's eyes. "I want to make love to you, Zeke. I want to be with you, not just physically, but in every way that we can be together. And I hope that's what you want, too."

"More than anything," Zeke whispered, squeezing Ryan's hand gently again. The other man got to his feet, drawing Zeke up along with him; the two of them headed for the door without speaking, each of them somehow knowing exactly what was in the other's mind.

He was going to go home with Ryan, let this man make love to him, and wait for the future to take its course, Zeke thought, his pulse pounding with excitement. He might not know yet if this could be love, but he was more than willing to gamble that it was.

***